On the afternoon of March 23, 2005, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chinese President Hu Jintao met in the Great Hall of the People with DPRK Premier Pak Bong-ju. The host and the guest conducted cordial and friendly talks.

Hu said China and DPRK are friendly neighbors bound by mountains and rivers. In the new century the traditional friendship between the two countries created and cultivated by the older generations of leaderships has been carried on and bilateral cooperation in various fields has witnessed positive progress with joint efforts of both sides. The Party, government and people of China greatly value China-DPRK friendship and would like to expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation at various levels in various fields in the principle of "carrying on the tradition, looking into the future, cultivating good-neighborliness and friendship and enhancing cooperation". We would like to learn from each other in national governance and administration, and enhance communication and coordination on important international and regional issues in a bid to maintain the ever-lasting vigor and robustness of China-DPRK relations in the new century.

Pak said General Secretary Kim Jong-il, the Party and government of DPRK are satisfied with the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and China and it is a rock-firm policy for the DPRK to develop relations with China. The DPRK will make active contributions to promoting the continued development of bilateral relations together with China. Pak noted China's political stability and economic development result from the adherence by the Party and government of China to the important idea of "Three Represent's", the concept of scientific development and the notion of "building a people-centered government". The DPRK would like to draw reference from the Chinese experience and also wishes the Party, government and people greater success.

When talking about the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Hu said it is in the interests of both parties to stick to objective of a nuclear-free peninsula, to address the reasonable concerns of the DPRK and to maintain the peace and stability of the peninsula. To resolve the nuclear issue on the peninsula peacefully through dialogues is the only correct choice. China will continue to work for peace and facilitate the talks, and would like to play a constructive role in resuming the six-party talks together with all the other parties involved. Pak expressed his appreciations for the efforts China has made in safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and other officials attended the meeting.